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Coordinates: 54°17′13″N 6°22′19″W / 54.287°N 6.372°W / 54.287; -6.372
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{{short description|Village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
[[File:Poyntz Pass level crossing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The level-crossing at Poyntzpass.]]
| official_name = Poyntzpass
⚫
'''Poyntzpass''' ([[Irish Language|Irish:]] ''Pas Phoyntz'' or ''Pas an Phointe'') is a small village on the border between southern [[County Armagh]] and [[County Down]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. It is situated in the [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of [[Ballymore, County Armagh|Ballymore]] and the historic [[Barony (Ireland)|barony]] of [[Orior Lower]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Poyntzpass|url=http://www.thecore.com/seanruad/|website=IreAtlas Townlands Database|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref> within the [[Armagh City and District Council]] area. It had a population of 614 people (255 households) in the 2011 Census.<ref name=Cen>{{cite web|title=Poyntzpass|url=http://www.nisra.gov.uk/census/2011/results/settlements.html|website=Census 2011 Results|publisher=NI Statistics and Research Agency|access-date=30 April 2015}}</ref> It was a part of the [[South Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|South Armagh]] constituency and is now part of the [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] constituency, and was one of the places in South Armagh where the Ulster Covenant could be signed.<ref>Loyalism in the Fews from the 17th Century, Newry Journal, http://www.newryjournal.co.uk/2011/02/20/loyalism-in-fews-from-17th-century/</ref>
| unitary_northern_ireland = [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council|Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon]]
| website =
| lieutenancy_northern_ireland = [[County Armagh]] & [[County Down]]
| constituency_ni_assembly = [[Newry and Armagh (Assembly constituency)|Newry & Armagh]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry & Armagh]]
| dial_code = 028
| postcode_district = BT35
| postcode_area = BT
| historic_county =
| post_town = NEWRY
⚫
| country = Northern Ireland
| irish_grid_reference = J057394
| irish_name = Pas an Phointe
| population_ref = ([[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]])
| population = 552
| belfast_distance_mi = 29.02
| label_position = none
| coordinates = {{coord|54.287|-6.372|display=inline,title}}
⚫
| map_type = Northern Ireland
| static_image_caption = The level-crossing at Poyntzpass
| static_image_name = Poyntzpass_Level_Crossing_at_Dusk.jpg
| local_name =
| scots_name =
| hide_services =
}}
⚫
'''Poyntzpass''' ({{Irish place name|Pas Phoyntz / Pas an Phointe}})<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/136069 | title = Pas an Phointe/Poyntzpass | website = [[Placenames Database of Ireland]] (logainm.ie) | access-date = 4 May 2023}}</ref> is a small village on the border between southern [[County Armagh]] and [[County Down]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. It is situated in the [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]] of [[Ballymore, County Armagh|Ballymore]] and the historic [[Barony (Ireland)|barony]] of [[Orior Lower]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Poyntzpass|url=http://www.thecore.com/seanruad/|website=IreAtlas Townlands Database|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref> within the [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon]] area. It had a population of 552 people (228 households) in the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]].<ref name="Census2011">{{cite web |title=Census 2011 Population Statistics for Poyntzpass Settlement |url=https://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/AreaProfileReportViewer.aspx?FromAPAddressMulipleRecords=Poyntzpass@Exact%20match%20of%20location%20name:%20@Exact%20Match%20Of%20Location%20Name:%20%20Poyntzpass@23? |access-date=8 June 2021 |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency]] (NISRA)}} This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Open Government Licence v3.0]. © [[Crown copyright]].</ref> It was a part of the [[South Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|South Armagh]] constituency and is now part of the [[Newry and Armagh (UK Parliament constituency)|Newry and Armagh]] constituency.


The village covers the [[townland]]s of Tullynacross, [[Brannock, County Armagh|Brannock]], [[Federnagh]] and Loughadian. It includes five places of [[Christianity|Christian]] worship; a [[Roman Catholic]] Church, a [[Church of Ireland]] Church, a [[Presbyterian]] Church, a [[Baptist]] Church, and an Independent Church; 3 [[public houses]]; and 2 primary schools.
The village covers the [[townland]]s of Tullynacross, [[Brannock, County Armagh|Brannock]], [[Federnagh]] and Loughadian. It includes five places of [[Christianity|Christian]] worship; a [[Roman Catholic]] Church, a [[Church of Ireland]] Church, a [[Presbyterian]] Church,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/CFPPresbyterianChurches {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=May 2022}}</ref> a [[Baptist]] Church, and an Independent Church; 3 [[public houses]]; and 2 primary schools.


== History ==
== History ==
The second half of the village's name reflects the fact that, historically, it was one of a few crossing points across a marsh stretching {{convert|25|mi|km}} from [[Lough Neagh]] to [[Carlingford Lough]], following the course of a prehistoric [[glacial]] overflow channel. It is on a major north–south route and was named after Lieutenant Charles Poyntz from Iron Acton, [[Gloucestershire]] who defended it against [[Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone]] in 1598.
The second half of the village's name reflects the fact that, historically, it was one of a few crossing points across a marsh stretching {{convert|25|mi|km}} from [[Lough Neagh]] to [[Carlingford Lough]], following the course of a prehistoric [[glacial]] overflow channel. It was named after Lieutenant Charles Poyntz who fought a battle there against [[Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone]] in 1598.


From "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis, 1837:
From "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis, 1837:


<blockquote>"POYNTZPASS, or FENWICK'S PASS, a small town, partly in the parish of AGHADERG, barony of UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, but chiefly in the parish of BALLYMORE barony of LOWER ORIOR, county of ARMAGH and province of ULSTER , 2¾ miles (S.W.) from [[Loughbrickland]], to which it has a penny post; containing 660 inhabitants, of which number, 88 are in the county of Down. This place was an encumbered pass through bogs and woods, from the county of Down into that of Armagh, and from the O'Hanlons' to the Magennises' country: it derives its present name from this important military position having been forced, after a desperate action, by Lieut. Poyntz, of the [[English army]], with a few troops, against a numerous body of Tyrone's soldiers, for which service he was rewarded with a grant of 500 acres [2 km²] in this barony: there are some remains of the castle that commanded the pass. At [[Drumbanagher]] are vestiges of the entrenchment surrounding the principal strong hold of the [[Earl of Tyrone]], during his wars with [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth]], called Tyrone's Ditches. Poyntz-Pass is now one of the most fertile and beautiful spots in this part of the country. To the south is [[Drumbanagher Castle]], the handsome residence of Lieut.-Col. Maxwell Close, built in the [[Italy|Italian]] style, with a large portico in front; on an eminence above the town is Acton House, the elegant residence of C. R. Dobbs, Esq.; not far from which is Union Lodge, that of W. Fivey, Esq., in a beautiful demesne, bounded by the extensive waters of [[Lough Shark]]. That portion of the town which is in the county of Armagh was built about 1790, by Mr. Stewart, then proprietor, who procured for it a grant of a market and fairs; the former was never established, but the latter, held on the first Saturday in every month, are large and well attended, great numbers of cattle and sheep being sold. The town comprises 116 houses in one principal street, intersected by a shorter one. It contains the church for the district of [[Acton, County Armagh|Acton]], a small neat edifice in the early [[England|English]] style, with a tower at the east front, built in 1789, and considerably enlarged and improved in 1829; a R. C. chapel, a school, and a constabulary police station."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"POYNTZPASS, or FENWICK'S PASS, a small town, partly in the parish of AGHADERG, barony of UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, but chiefly in the parish of BALLYMORE barony of LOWER ORIOR, county of ARMAGH and province of ULSTER , 2¾ miles (S.W.) from [[Loughbrickland]], to which it has a penny post; containing 660 inhabitants, of which number, 88 are in the county of Down. This place was an encumbered pass through bogs and woods, from the county of Down into that of Armagh, and from the O'Hanlons' to the Magennises' country: it derives its present name from this important military position having been forced, after a desperate action, by Lieut. Poyntz, of the [[English army]], with a few troops, against a numerous body of Tyrone's soldiers, for which service he was rewarded with a grant of 500 acres [2 km²] in this barony: there are some remains of the castle that commanded the pass. At [[Drumbanagher]] are vestiges of the entrenchment surrounding the principal strong hold of the [[Earl of Tyrone]], during his wars with [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth]], called Tyrone's Ditches. Poyntz-Pass is now one of the most fertile and beautiful spots in this part of the country. To the south is [[Drumbanagher House|Drumbanagher Castle]], the handsome residence of Lieut.-Col. Maxwell Close, built in the [[Italy|Italian]] style, with a large portico in front; on an eminence above the town is Acton House, the elegant residence of C. R. Dobbs, Esq.; not far from which is Union Lodge, that of W. Fivey, Esq., in a beautiful demesne, bounded by the extensive waters of [[Lough Shark]]. That portion of the town which is in the county of Armagh was built about 1790, by Mr. Stewart, then proprietor, who procured for it a grant of a market and fairs; the former was never established, but the latter, held on the first Saturday in every month, are large and well attended, great numbers of cattle and sheep being sold. The town comprises 116 houses in one principal street, intersected by a shorter one. It contains the church for the district of [[Acton, County Armagh|Acton]], a small neat edifice in the early [[England|English]] style, with a tower at the east front, built in 1789, and considerably enlarged and improved in 1829; a R. C. chapel, a school, and a constabulary police station."</blockquote>


A castle was once situated in Poyntzpass. Its remnants were visible until the middle of the 19th century, but there is now no trace of it other than in the name 'Castle Corner' by which a corner of William Street is sometimes known.
A castle was once situated in Poyntzpass. Its remnants were visible until the middle of the 19th century, but there is now no trace of it other than in the name 'Castle Corner' by which a corner of William Street is sometimes known.


On 3 March 1998, 26-year old [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Damian Trainor and 34-year old [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Philip Allen, were shot dead during a [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]] gun attack on the Railway Bar in Poyntzpass.<ref>http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/ NI Conflict Archive on the Internet</ref>
On 3 March 1998, 26-year old [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Damian Trainor and 34-year old [[Protestantism|Presbyterian]] Philip Allen, were shot dead during a [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]] gun attack on the Railway Bar in Poyntzpass.<ref>http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/ NI Conflict Archive on the Internet</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2 Killed in Ireland Attack|url=https://apnews.com/article/505333e0cf9e7af82d3ec4d0795767e1|access-date=2021-04-04|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>


==Local surnames==
==Demography==
On census day in 2011 (27 March 2011), there were 552 people living in Poyntzpass.<ref name=Census2011/> Of these:
In 1910, these surnames were recorded in Poyntzpass in the Ulster towns directory.<ref>[http://www.libraryireland.com/UlsterDirectory1910/Poyntzpass.php ''Library Ireland, Ulster Towns directory 1910 Poyntzpass''], libraryireland.com</ref>
* 24.64% were aged under 16 years and 13.77% were aged 65 and over;
* Acheson, Adams, Agnew, Alderdice, Allen, Andrew, Andrews, Barber, Bicker, Brown, Burns, Campbell, Canavan, Carson, Carter, Clarke, Clowney, Close, Conlon, Corry, Coulter, Crothers, Cunningham, Cully, Daly, Denny, Finch, Hollow, Fisher, Flanigan, Foy, Gibson, Gilleland, Gordon, Graham, Griffith, Guy, Hanna, Harden, Henry, Humphrey, Hunter, Johnson, Johnston, Kelso, Laverty, Lennon, Little, Loughlin, O'Loughlin, Madden, Magenis, Maloney, Man, Matthews, Milne, Monaghan, Moody, Moorcroft, Morrow, Murphy, Murray, McClelland, McComb, MacCullough, McDonald, McDowell, McElroy, McElvaine, McGaw, McGill/Magill, McKelvey, McLean, McMurray, McSherry, Qua, Quin, Rafferty, Reside, Rice, Robinson, Ryan, Ryder, Savage, Searight, Shanks, Sleith, Stewart, Stuart, Strain, Traynor/Trainor, Vint, Waddell, Walsh, Ward, White, Williamson, Wilkinson, Wilson, Wright and Wylie.
* 51.81% of the usually resident population were female and 48.19% were male;
* 68.12% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 26.89% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion;
Surnames local to Poyntzpass and surrounding areas (such as Drumbanagher or Lissummon) that are not included in this survey from 1910, do appear in the 1911 census of the ''Poyntz Pass'' area.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Armagh/Poyntz_Pass], census.nationalarchives.ie | title=Townlands/Streets in Poyntz Pass (Armagh) | publisher=The National Archives of Ireland | access-date=7 November 2020 }}</ref> A few of these names are:
* 42.03% had an Irish national identity, 30.80% indicated that they had a British national identity and 32.25% had a Northern Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity);
* Alexander, Best, O'Callaghan, Calvert, Convery, Hanlon, Hanratty, Hudson, Ligget, Mackle, McCourt, McKeown, McVeigh, McVerry, Meehan, Minnis, Morton, O'Hagan, Sheals, Shevlin, Sterritt, Stevenson and Teggart.
* 35 years was the average (median) age of the population;

* 16.60% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaelic) and 2.15% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.
⚫
==Notable Poyntzpass people==

⚫
* The 17th century [[rapparee]] [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]] was a Poyntzpass native.
⚫
* [[Charles Davis Lucas]], first recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], in 1857, was born and grew up nearby.
⚫
* [[William Robert MacDermott|Dr. W. R. MacDermott]], the local dispensary doctor, published his novel "The Green Republic" in 1904, under the penname A P A O'Gara. His fictional village of Jigglestreet was closely based on Poyntzpass and many of its inhabitants.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Sea5AAAAIAAJhttp://www.armaghgaa.net/redmond-ohanlons-poyntzpass/ The Green Republic on Amazon Books]</ref>
* International rugby players [[Simon Best|Simon]] and [[Rory Best]] are from the village.
* William Hare, Irish-Scots body snatcher, was thought to have been born in Poyntzpass.


==Sport==
==Sport==
The local [[Gaelic football]] club, named in [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|honour of the rapparee]], is Redmond O'Hanlon's (Cumann Réamainn Uí Anluain). Created around 1960, it became inactive in 1970 but was revived in 1977. It currently competes at Junior level in [[Armagh GAA|county]] competitions, and combines with [[Whitecross, County Armagh|Whitecross]] and [[Lissummon]] to field Minor teams as St Brigid's.<ref>[http://www.armaghgaa.net/redmond-ohanlons-poyntzpass/ Armagh GAA website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827020531/http://www.armaghgaa.net/redmond-ohanlons-poyntzpass/ |date=2012-08-27 }}</ref>
The local [[Gaelic football]] club, named in [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|honour of the rapparee]], is Redmond O'Hanlon's (Cumann Réamainn Uí Anluain). Created around 1960, it became inactive in 1970 but was revived in 1977. It currently competes at Junior level in [[Armagh GAA|county]] competitions<ref>[http://www.armaghgaa.net/redmond-ohanlons-poyntzpass/ Armagh GAA website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827020531/http://www.armaghgaa.net/redmond-ohanlons-poyntzpass/ |date=2012-08-27 }}</ref>


== Transport ==
== Transport ==
Line 42: Line 63:


== Education ==
== Education ==
There are two primary schools in the area:{{fact|date=January 2024}}
⚫
* St. Joseph and St. James's Primary School, Poyntzpass, and
⚫
* Poyntzpass Primary School


⚫
==Notable people==
⚫
*[[Poyntzpass Primary School]]
⚫
* [[Redmond O'Hanlon (outlaw)|Redmond O'Hanlon]], a 17th century [[rapparee]], was a Poyntzpass native.
⚫
*[[St. Joseph and St. James's Primary School, Poyntzpass|St Joseph and St James's Primary School]]
⚫
* [[Charles Davis Lucas]], first recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], in 1857, was born and grew up nearby.
⚫
* [[William Robert MacDermott|Dr. W. R. MacDermott]], a local dispensary doctor, published his novel "The Green Republic" in 1904, under the penname A.P.A. O'Gara. His fictional village, Jigglestreet, was based on Poyntzpass and its inhabitants; MacDermott used this story to advance his ideas on Irish Land Reform.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Sea5AAAAIAAJhttp The Green Republic on Amazon Books]</ref><ref>William Robert MacDermott, F. Watters; Before I Forget, Issue 1, 1987.</ref><ref>Poyntzpass and the American Civil War, R. Morrow; Before I Forget, Issue 15, 2019</ref>
* [[Joe Lennon]], who won three [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship|All-Ireland Senior Football]] medals with [[Down county football team|Down]] and captained the team in 1968, was born in Poyntzpass.
* [[Simon Best]] and [[Rory Best]], brothers who played international rugby for Ireland, are from the village.

⚫
== See also ==
*[[List of villages in Northern Ireland]]
*[[List of towns in Northern Ireland]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


==Sources==
==External links==
*[http://www.poyntzpass.co.uk/ Poyntzpass and District Local History Society]
*[http://www.poyntzpass.co.uk/ Poyntzpass and District Local History Society]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070305075604/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=3&to=57&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070305075604/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=3&to=57&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland] (archived 2007)
*[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tW6edf-80pIC&pg=PA569&lpg=PA569&dq=Lieutenant+Charles+Poyntz&source=bl&ots=zzO8e82Vds&sig=TvsQnOZ66VmTqiYZDvz-KVfWbkc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVm8aH4IHWAhXKb1AKHdB5B-8Q6AEIUTAJ#v=onepage&q=Lieutenant%20Charles%20Poyntz&f=false Lieutenant Poyntz]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=tW6edf-80pIC&dq=Lieutenant+Charles+Poyntz&pg=PA569 Lieutenant Poyntz]

⚫
== See also ==
⚫
*[[List of villages in Northern Ireland]]
⚫
*[[List of towns in Northern Ireland]]


{{County Armagh}}
{{County Armagh}}
{{coord|54.28870|-6.37204|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


Latest revision as of 21:29, 23 February 2024

Poyntzpass
The level-crossing at Poyntzpass
Poyntzpass is located in Northern Ireland
Poyntzpass
Location within Northern Ireland
Population552 (2011 census)
Irish grid referenceJ057394
• Belfast29.02 mi (46.70 km)
District
County
CountryNorthern Ireland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townNEWRY
Postcode districtBT35
Dialling code028
PoliceNorthern Ireland
FireNorthern Ireland
AmbulanceNorthern Ireland
UK Parliament
NI Assembly
List of places
UK
Northern Ireland
54°17′13″N 6°22′19″W / 54.287°N 6.372°W / 54.287; -6.372

Poyntzpass (Irish: Pas Phoyntz / Pas an Phointe)[1] is a small village on the border between southern County Armagh and County Down in Northern Ireland. It is situated in the civil parish of Ballymore and the historic barony of Orior Lower[2] within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area. It had a population of 552 people (228 households) in the 2011 census.[3] It was a part of the South Armagh constituency and is now part of the Newry and Armagh constituency.

The village covers the townlands of Tullynacross, Brannock, Federnagh and Loughadian. It includes five places of Christian worship; a Roman Catholic Church, a Church of Ireland Church, a Presbyterian Church,[4] a Baptist Church, and an Independent Church; 3 public houses; and 2 primary schools.

History

[edit]

The second half of the village's name reflects the fact that, historically, it was one of a few crossing points across a marsh stretching 25 miles (40 km) from Lough Neagh to Carlingford Lough, following the course of a prehistoric glacial overflow channel. It was named after Lieutenant Charles Poyntz who fought a battle there against Hugh O'Neill, 3rd Earl of Tyrone in 1598.

From "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis, 1837:

"POYNTZPASS, or FENWICK'S PASS, a small town, partly in the parish of AGHADERG, barony of UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, but chiefly in the parish of BALLYMORE barony of LOWER ORIOR, county of ARMAGH and province of ULSTER , 2¾ miles (S.W.) from Loughbrickland, to which it has a penny post; containing 660 inhabitants, of which number, 88 are in the county of Down. This place was an encumbered pass through bogs and woods, from the county of Down into that of Armagh, and from the O'Hanlons' to the Magennises' country: it derives its present name from this important military position having been forced, after a desperate action, by Lieut. Poyntz, of the English army, with a few troops, against a numerous body of Tyrone's soldiers, for which service he was rewarded with a grant of 500 acres [2 km²] in this barony: there are some remains of the castle that commanded the pass. At Drumbanagher are vestiges of the entrenchment surrounding the principal strong hold of the Earl of Tyrone, during his wars with Queen Elizabeth, called Tyrone's Ditches. Poyntz-Pass is now one of the most fertile and beautiful spots in this part of the country. To the south is Drumbanagher Castle, the handsome residence of Lieut.-Col. Maxwell Close, built in the Italian style, with a large portico in front; on an eminence above the town is Acton House, the elegant residence of C. R. Dobbs, Esq.; not far from which is Union Lodge, that of W. Fivey, Esq., in a beautiful demesne, bounded by the extensive waters of Lough Shark. That portion of the town which is in the county of Armagh was built about 1790, by Mr. Stewart, then proprietor, who procured for it a grant of a market and fairs; the former was never established, but the latter, held on the first Saturday in every month, are large and well attended, great numbers of cattle and sheep being sold. The town comprises 116 houses in one principal street, intersected by a shorter one. It contains the church for the district of Acton, a small neat edifice in the early English style, with a tower at the east front, built in 1789, and considerably enlarged and improved in 1829; a R. C. chapel, a school, and a constabulary police station."

A castle was once situated in Poyntzpass. Its remnants were visible until the middle of the 19th century, but there is now no trace of it other than in the name 'Castle Corner' by which a corner of William Street is sometimes known.

On 3 March 1998, 26-year old Catholic Damian Trainor and 34-year old Presbyterian Philip Allen, were shot dead during a Loyalist Volunteer Force gun attack on the Railway Bar in Poyntzpass.[5][6]

Demography

[edit]

On census day in 2011 (27 March 2011), there were 552 people living in Poyntzpass.[3] Of these:

  • 24.64% were aged under 16 years and 13.77% were aged 65 and over;
  • 51.81% of the usually resident population were female and 48.19% were male;
  • 68.12% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 26.89% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion;
  • 42.03% had an Irish national identity, 30.80% indicated that they had a British national identity and 32.25% had a Northern Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity);
  • 35 years was the average (median) age of the population;
  • 16.60% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaelic) and 2.15% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

Sport

[edit]

The local Gaelic football club, named in honour of the rapparee, is Redmond O'Hanlon's (Cumann Réamainn Uí Anluain). Created around 1960, it became inactive in 1970 but was revived in 1977. It currently competes at Junior level in county competitions[7]

Transport

[edit]

Poyntzpass straddles the main Belfast-Dublin railway line, and has a Northern Ireland Railways railway station. Poyntzpass railway station opened on 6 January 1862.[8]

The Newry Canal which flows through Poyntzpass follows the Armagh/Down border and was one of the first major canals to be constructed in Britain or Ireland. However, it never really fulfilled its promise to bring industry and prosperity and has been derelict since the 1940s. Its summit level is one mile (1.6 km) from the village at Acton Lake (Lough Shark).

Education

[edit]

There are two primary schools in the area:[citation needed]

  • St. Joseph and St. James's Primary School, Poyntzpass, and
  • Poyntzpass Primary School

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pas an Phointe/Poyntzpass". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Poyntzpass". IreAtlas Townlands Database. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Poyntzpass Settlement". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Retrieved 8 June 2021. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
  4. ^ https://www.facebook.com/CFPPresbyterianChurches [user-generated source]
  5. ^ http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/chron/ NI Conflict Archive on the Internet
  6. ^ "2 Killed in Ireland Attack". AP NEWS. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  7. ^ Armagh GAA website Archived 2012-08-27 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Poyntzpass station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved 28 August 2007.
  9. ^ The Green Republic on Amazon Books
  10. ^ William Robert MacDermott, F. Watters; Before I Forget, Issue 1, 1987.
  11. ^ Poyntzpass and the American Civil War, R. Morrow; Before I Forget, Issue 15, 2019
[edit]
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